Listen to Nancy answer this question recorded on Moody Radio with Kelli and Steve
It matters because no human is a mistake. All those whom God created are loved. God purposed all humans to become more like Him by how we love and live our lives. It matters because life on earth does not work without God’s love, saving grace, and guidance.
On the 6th day of creation, God made humans in His image, Imago Dei. It comes from the Latin version of the Bible, translated to English as “image of God.” God made us all with physical bodies and a soul, making all humans unique and different from anything God created. Humans are not angels, which do not have physical bodies, nor are they animals, who do not have spirits or souls.
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27)
Being made in the image of God does not mean that we are gods. It means that we reflect God’s divine nature. God gave mankind choice to obey and follow Him or to go their own way. Sadly, from the beginning of time, all men and women have chosen to go their own way and sin. Thankfully, God took mercy on us and saved us from the penalty of sin, which is death, through His Son, Jesus.
“For there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 8:22-24).
Being human matters because we are made in the image of God. We are recipients of minds that can think and reason, love others besides ourselves, and have the will to choose to believe and follow Jesus. God has made us with the ability to appreciate beauty, the desire to learn, create, invent, care for others, and to be a light to those who do not trust God in all areas of life.
Being human matters because we are incapable of satisfying our needs. Only God is self-sustaining and self-sufficient. He does not need us; we cannot survive without Him. Our bodies require food, drink, and rest. Our souls are not for us to live alone. We were created to have fellowship with God and with others. To maintain healthy emotions and minds, we need God to guide us through life’s good and challenging times. We need to think, exchange ideas and learn from other human beings. We need outlets to be creative in art to satisfy ourselves, encourage others, and give glory to God, the creator of all things. Our greatest need is to regularly read and meditate on the Word of God.
“Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).
Being human matters because God gave us a conscience, a mind that can discern right from wrong. Adam and Eve were given free will to choose to make godly moral choices to obey or disobey God. They decided to ignore God’s command, do their own thing, and receive the consequences for their disobedience.
“The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them” (Ezekiel 18:20).